Younger people lead the way in opposing Trident replacement

By staff writers

April 9, 2014

A new survey suggests that people aged 18-35 years are more likely to oppose renewal of Trident than their older peers.

The survey, carried out by ComRes on behalf of WMD Awareness, comes as campaigners complete a Spring Walk from Holyrood to Faslane to raise awareness of the 200 nuclear warheads based just 35 miles from Scotland’s largest city.

Patrick Harvie MSP, who spoke at the start of the Spring Walk, said: "This survey shows how important it is to challenge those determined to squander a hundred billion pounds on a horrific system of mass destruction.

"While it suggests those who grew up after the Cold War may be more likely to oppose Trident's renewal I believe there are still too many people in Scotland unaware that these missiles are in our waters and that an attack launched from just one Clyde-based submarine would kill over five million people.

"September's independence referendum is a real chance to say yes to a Scotland free of these nuclear weapons, a move which could prompt governments around the world to rethink their outdated and dangerous defence priorities.

"Scottish Greens led a historic Holyrood vote against the renewal of Trident, and we will continue to make the case not just for its eventual removal from Scottish waters but for it to be made inoperable as soon as there is a Yes vote," said Mr Harvie.

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